Automatically-operated filter.



' PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

O. H. FAIRGHILD AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED FILTER.

APPLIUATIONIILI-ID AUG. 13. 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

- .l m w) 10 PATENTED APR. 151908.

0. H. FAIROHILD. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED FILTER APPLICATION FILED AUG. 13. 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 884,914- PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

0-. H..EAIRCHILD.

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED FI LTBK.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG. 13, 1907.

3 SHBBTSSH,EET 3.

.Z-cy. 5.

ammamafl (Bf/pizza A 52; M I

' OSCAR H. FAIROHILD,

OF DENVER, COLORADO, Assronon OF TWO-THIRDS TO WILLIAM ARCHER DIBOLL, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

AUTOMATIGALLY-OPERATED FILTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 14, 1908.

Application filed August 13, 1907. Serial No. 388,375.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR H. FAmoHILD, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful lutomatically-Operated Filter, of which the followin is a specification.

My invention re atesto improvements in automatically operating filters; and the objects of my invention are: First, to provide a revolving multiple andidu lex unit automatically operating filter. econd, to pro vide a multiple and. duplex unit revoluble andv automatic sand-cake dischargin filter. Third, to rovide a simple, durab e, and economical y operating revoluble filter, in which the filters are divided into duplex groups that are connected together in series ,to a common suction pipe, and in which all of the suction pipes are connected to a central suction mechanism, and that is operated automatically and intermittently to filter slime ore-pulp solutions for a redetermined portion of its revolution, and t at ex els and discharges the resulting sand-cake (uring a predetermined part of the remainder of its revolution. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of my improved filter. Fig. 2, is a vertical sectional view thereof taken lon itudinally through the supporting shaft of t e filter. Fig. 3, is a plan view of one of the boards to which the filters are secured, showing the arrangenient of the pipes which form the framework of the filter. Fig.4, is a front view thereof.

Fig. 5,'is asectional view of one of the filters, on the line' 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6, is an end view of one of the shaft sections. Fig. 7 ,is a side view of one of the discharge hoppers, showing one of the semi-circular lates secured thereto, having the ins whic operate the valves which open an close communication witha source of fluid under pressure. Fig. 8, is a view of the opposite plate, showing the pins which operate a set of valves which open and close communication with a vacuum tank. And Fig. 9, is a sectional view of one of the valves.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1, designates a semi-circular receptacle or tank of suitable width, which is preferably conbracing timbers as shown.

,forms an integral structure.

structed of tovgue and roove boards, and which is adapted to holf a cyanid or other chemical ore-pulp solution or a solution of any kind that requires filtering to separate the solution as clear, clean, liquid, from the ore-sand or other material mixed with it. This tank is supported by upper and lower rectangular frames 2 and 3, respectively, which are connecoed by vertical and oblique Within the tank is rotatably mounted a wheel 4, comprising the rim 5, spokes 6, hub 7, and shaft 8; the rim 5 I term the s okes rim. The rim and spokes are refera ly cast integral and the hub is mate in two parts, with flanges 5 that are bolted to a central disk portion 6 by bolts 7; this disk portion 6 forms an integral part of and-unites the inner ends of the spokes. The shaft is cast integral with the two hub portions, and when they are se-. cured the spokes project from opposite sides of the hub of the wheel, and the Wheel then The ends of the shaft 8, are journaled in boxes, 9, secured upon the frame 2. The hub 7, is formed with axial chambers 10 and 11, which are separated from each other by partition plates 1, 2

which fit into counterbores formed in the face i of the half hubs, and axial bores 13 and 14 extend from these chambers to the outer ends of the shaft. A plurality of threaded holes extend radially from the chambers 10 and 11, through the periphery of the hub, and in these holes are screwed short sections of pipe 15. At the base of each spoke, and projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, are nipples or short sections of pi e 16, which are screwed into openings in t e spokes, and have elbows 16, which receive s ort sections of pipe 16. The pipes 16 on one side of the wheel are screwed into plug valves- 16, while those on the op osite side connect with similar valves 16. The spokes are hollow from end to end to form passageways from the nip les 16 out through the rim of the wheel, and into the o POSlt8-6lld of each plug valve is screwed a sllort section of pipe 17, the free end of which is connected to the free end of the adjacent pipe 15, by a union 18. Thus, each spoke is connected with the hub chambers '10 and 11, through the two valves 16 and 16 and their pipes.

All of the valves 16 on one side ofthe several spokes, are provided with suitable plugs I or stems 19, whlch ope'n orfclo se communij 21, which ektend transversely through thpm,

so that when turned to e certein position in the valves they either close or open communication between the spokes end hub chembers.

The-plugs are each provided. with e squared end 22, which extends out beyond the velvc,

and upon these s mired ends bell crank arms. '23 are secured, WJIGll ere sdepted to or e pair of pins, as the wheel revolves, to -1 .t close the valve and then open it at e predetermined point in the wheel's movement. The pins 24: and which operate the valves 16, are secured in a segmental bracket 2b,

-which is attached to the resr side of H. hop-- 'per to be presently described, and extend in.

edjecent to the bell crank arms so that the pins will stand in the path of said arms; and

the pins 27 end '28, which operate the valves 16, are secured in e similar bracket 29, and these brackets may be provided with e plurality of holes, so that the positions of the pins may be changed to operate the valves at different predetermined points in the movement of the wheel.

The rim of spokes is made somewhat wider than the spokes, and u )on it is mounted e felly portion. 30, of 'W0O(l, and upon this 'felly portion there is secured a. wide peripheral rim portion 31, which .l term the felly rim, and which is also preferably constructed of wood. This felly rim portion 31, projects from the center of the folly equal distance oh each side of it, the distance depending on the capacity or suction urea. of

the filters to be used, on the wheel. "he

' filter wheels may be made from about four feet to eight or more feet in diameter, and the outer rim portion. 31 would vary from about eighteen inches to about two or more feet on each side of the center of the folly, or from about three to eight feet wide. This felly portion comprises blocks of wood which are secured to the top of the cast rim of the spokes of the wheels 4, and the folly rim is preferably constructed of wooden planks laid crosswise ucross the folly blocks, and each folly rim plank is secured thereto independently of the others by bolts or other suitable means. These rim planks 1- term rim sections. Each felly block is curved on its inside edge to fit the curvature of the cast rim of the wheel 4, but its outside edge is made fiat; consequently the felly rim sections 31 lie flat on top of them and are flat on top. To the under side of each of :these rim sections, I secure a plurality of filters, which in general I will number 33; these filters comprise in particular a yoke-shaped piece of pipe 34, the

, plank.

ortion 30, an

1- fmc ends of which extend up through operm the rim section and :u'c sccurcd thereto boil ill we ulul bclow ibc rim plank bv chock nuts 3:}, onshore 23o being placed bdtween the check nuts and thc rim scction. The depending yolw-shupcd portion of this pipe is perforated along its length with numerous small holes, which extend through its shell in to its interior aperture. Over this perforated pipe 1 plucc u rectangular shaped narrow bo or suck 3?, of any suitable lillcring materiel, preferably curves, which is formed to fit loosely over the okcsbupod pipe. inside of each canvas bag :1. wire screen of any suitable mesh is placed, and around the wirc screen within the bag u. sheet of cocoe-umtting 40 is folded to surround the screen, and the limiting and screen :u'cphtcml in the bag to rest on the pipe between its ends, and the screen and matting and bug are sewed together at intervals throughout their arcs. by stitches of thread. "lhc filters are thus secured rigidly to the inner side of the rim sections, and project radially from them towards the axial center of the shaft of the filter wheel.

The upper edges of the open ends of the bags are secured to the under side of the folly rim sections, by being laid up against the under side of the rim planks and fastened there. by strips or clcsts 42, preferably of wood, which are secured to thc under side of the rim sections by nails or screws. "lbc odgcs of each bag are given it cos t or two of tar or u suitable \VtLfQP-PTOOf point, to make a tight joint between the canvas bugs and its rim l n'cferelil pluce five of those liltcrs on the under side of each rim section throughout the circumference of the liltcr whccls,

and arrange thom'ulso on both sides of the spokes of the whc l; consequently two circumferential rows of filters are formcd on each filter wheel, and they are placed at equal distances on opposite sides of the circumferential center of the cast rim and spokes and hub of the filter wheel. To the outside end, or the end of the yoke-shaped pipe of each filter that is farthest from the center of the wheel, I secure :1. cup 43, which closes the entrance to that end of the pipe, and to the inside end of these yoke-she )cd pipes l connect the end of :1, ni )plc clbow 44. To the nipple portion of this elbow, I connect one end of a short piece of rubber hose 45, which with the nipple elbow is pointed towards the outside edge of the rim plank at short distance, and I secure the opposite end of this short iece of hose to the nipple end of a toe pipo litting 46. I )refcrstbly arrange these two circular rows oi filters in groups of live filters each, and I place two groups of five filters each op )osite each other, on op osito sides of the spokes, and in line with tie spores between cech pair of the spokes of the rust filter rim, and I secure these two groups of the filter wheel in axial alinement with each other, two groups of five filters each, and

these two groups of each rim section I term a filter set, and as there are fourteen spokes illustrated and fourteen rim sections, there are fourteen filter sets in the circumference of the wheel, and each filter set'contains ten filters, which are divided into two groups of five filters each.

, The filters of each filter set are connected to one of the hollow spokes of the filter wheel, and if desired each filter of each groupv of each filter set may be connected directly to either one of the adjacent hollow spokes, but I pref- 'erably connect the five filters of each group of filters together to a line pipe 47, and then connect the line pipe of each group by means of a,tube'48 connected to one end of each line pipe and also connected toa tee 49, which is connected to a nipple 50, that extends through the'rim section and the felly'blocks and cast' rim of the filter wheel, into the hollow spokes. To effect this arran ement of the filters I secure one end of each 'elly block and one side edge of each rim section far enough over the top end of a spoke to extend then-iple 50 down through the rim section and is ly blocks and thread" it into a threaded aperture in thecast rim of the filter wheel that connects with the aperture in the spoke. The five filters of each group are secured at a few inches apart to the under side of each rim section, and all of these filters are made alike and are secured to the rim planks in'the same manner, and the outer ends of their pipes are closed by. caps 43, and their inner ends are provided with the nipple elbows 44,

- and short rubber pieces of hose 45, to the end of which tees 46, are connected, and the line pipe that connects these four filters of each group consists .of enou h nipples, to connect all of the tees 46 of t e five filters of each group, and to connect to the rubber tube 48 which connects with thetee 49 of the nipple 50 that connects with the aperture in the hollow spoke ofeach rim section; consequently each set of two groups of five filters is connected by a line pipe with one spoke of the filter wheel, and with an air suction mechanism connected with the hub and axial shaft of the filter Wheel, and also with an air pressuremechanism, and these arecontrolled by the valve mechanism of the hub of the filter wheel.. In the tank I place two ore sand cake catching and discharging hoppers 53,

placing one on one side of the filter wheel in the tank, and the other on the opposite side. These hoppers are positioned centrally over the filter shaft directly under the circumferential row of groups of filters on its respectiveside of the filter wheel, and are supported source of power.

there by suitable braces, which are secured to the hoppers and to the sides of the tank, and each hopper is provided with discharge chutes 55, which are arranged to straddle the shaft by being bifurcated into two spout portions which extend from the bottom of the hopper and pass down on opposite sides of the shaft, and out through apertures formed in the opposite sides of the tank beyond which they extend far enough toconnect with a conveyer adapted'to convey the ore sand cake away from the filf/Gl'lllg machine.

7 In the end of the bore 13 of the shaft 8, is inserted one end of a pipe 54 the other end of which enters a suitable vacuum tank 55, which is provided with an outlet pipe 56, and with'apipe'57, leading to a suitable vacuum pump, not shown. A stuffing box58, in the end of the shaft 8, surrounds the pipe 54, and prevents the ingress of air, the shaft revolves around the pipe. At the opposite end of the shaft, a pipe 59 is inserted, passing through a stuifing box 60, similar to the box 58, and this pipe connects with a source of steam or of air under pressure. To this end of the shaft is keyed a sprocket wheel 61, which connects with a sprocket wheel 62, on a drive shaft 63,011 the other end of which is a belt pulley 64,whioh is connected with a The chutes are adapted to catch and discharge the cakes composed-of fine ore sand which are deposited u on the filters, as the solution is drawn throug 1 them into the solution are submerged therein for a period of time sufficient to permit them to be lled with solution. Meanwhile, a vacuum is, created in the vacuum tank causing a strong suction through the bore or passage 13, chamber 10, and hollow spokes to the filters, which are wholly or partially submerged, all the valvescommunicating with which filters being open. Now, as each spoke approaches and rises beyond a horizontal position, the solution will be drawn from the filtersof its respective groups of filters through the spoke valve 16, chamber 10, passage 13, and pipe 54 to the vacuum tank 55, the valve 16 on the opposite side of the spoke being closed during this period, and as the spokes coinmunicate with the line pipes of the groups of filters, each group of filters will be thoroughly drained before entering the solution again. Shortly after each group of filters passes out of the solution and the solution is drawn out of them by the air suction, the bell crank arm contacts with the trip pin 24, by which the valve is given a quarter turn, and closes coinmunication between the filters and the vacuum tank, As the filters pass on and over the upper ends of the hoppers 53, the bell crank arm on thestcm of the valve 16", contacts wit h the trip pin 27, by which the valve is opened, and a supply of steam or air under pressure is admitted to the spokes and through them to their respective group of filters, and the cakes of fine ore-sand and mud which have been caused to adhere to the outside surface of the canvas bags of the filters during their passage through the solution, by the vacuum, a re thrown off, and fall into the hopper 53, from which they slide through the chute portion of the hopper to the outside of the tank. The valve is soon reversed or closed, by contact with the pin 28, and as the groups of filters or a set of filters againenter the solution, the valve 16 is again opened by contact of its bell crank with pin 25, and the former operation is repeated.

My improved filter is well adapted to the treatment of slimes, which frequently iarry a high percentage of value. The solution, after passing through the filters, is clear and clean and subsequently undergoes suitable treatment for the recovery of the values which are in it one form of treatment being to pour the solution into a receptacle containing zinc shavings, upon which the gold in the solution is precipitated, the mass being then subjected to heat, causing the gold to form in a button, while the zinc passes off in fumes.

The wheel may be revolved at any practicable degree of speed, and the trip pins for the valves may be set to open and close the valves at any predetermined time. Thus, the filter is automatic in its operation and only requires that the solution in the tank shall be maintained at a level at about the axial center of the shaft in order to give satisfactory results.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A revoluble -filter, comprising a tank; a wheel mounted in said tank having passages which connect on one side with a vacuum tank, and on the other side with a source of fluid under pressure;.filters on said wheel communicating with said passages; and means for controlling said passages.

2. A revoluble filter, comprising a solution tank; a wheel mounted in said tank having a wide felly rim, said wheel and rim being arranged so as to be partially submerged and having passages which connect on one side with a vacuum tank and on the other side with a source of fluid under pressure: filters connected to the under side of said rim porf l i l l having passages which connect on one side with a vacuum tank and on the other side with a source. of fluid under pressure; :r ir-- cumferciuial row of groups of filters on said wheel communicaiiug with said passages, and automatically operated valves or controlling said passages.

f. A revoluble filter, comprising a solution tank; a wheel mounted in said tank so as to be partially submerged, and having hollow spokes communicating with passages in the shaft of said wheel; a laterally projecting rim on said wheel cmumunicaiing with said hollow spokes; a group of filters radiating from said rim connected to each hollow spoke, the filters of each group being connected to a common pipe that leads to a hollow spoke; a pipe in one end of said shaft leading to a vacuum tank; a pipe, in the other end of said shaft leading to a source of fluid under pressure; and automatimlly operated valves for controlling communication between said spokes and shaft.

In a rcvoluble filter, the combination with a solution tank, of a \\'l1(.(l mounted therein so as to be partially submerged, hav ing a hollow shaft, and hollow spokes cone municating therewith, one end of said shaft being connected with a vacuum tank, while the other end is connected with a source of fluid under pressure; filter bags on said wheel communicating with said hollow spokes, and valves which are automatically operat d as the wheel revolves, to open or close communication between the hollow spokes and shaft at any preilctcrmincd point in the travel of the wheel.

6. in a revoluble filter, the combination with a semi-circular solution tank, of a wheel mounted therein, having hollow spokes communicating with a hollow sh: ft and automatically operated valves for controlling communication between the spokes and shaft; filtering bags on said wheel communicating with the hollow spokes: a pipe in one end of the shaft connecting with a vacuum tank; a pipe in theofher end of the shaft connecting with a source of fluid under pressure, a partition in said hollow shaft forming imlepcndent passages on each side of its center, and a power-driven wheel on one end of said shaft.

7. vln a revoluble filter, the combinafiou with a solution tank, of a. wheel mounted thereonprovided with rim projecting lafcrally from ifs circumfercntial plane and ar ranged in be partially sulnnergcd in said tank, said wheel being provided with a shaft provided with independent axial passages iconnecting said 8. In a revoluble filter, the combination portion mounted therein so as to be partially submerged, said wheel being providedwith a shaft formed with an axial passage extending from each end, separated centrally of the extending from each end and separated by a central partition, and hollow spokes con necting at their lower ends with the independent passages in the shaft; automatically operated valves on each side of the spokes at their lower ends, which control communication between the spokes and the separate shaft passages; pipes in the ends of the shaft, connecting respectively with a vacuum tank and a source of fluid under pressure; filtering bags radially arranged on said rim at the extremities of the spokes and having pipe connection with said spokes; a sprocket wheel on one end of said shaft connected by a chain with a power driven shaft mounted on said tank, a sprocket Wheel on said power shaft, and a sprocket chain belt mounted on and sprocket wheels. i

.with a solution tank, of a wheel having a rim shaft by a artiti n, means including pi es for connecting the lower ends of said hol oW spokes with the separate shaft passages, valves at the lower end of each spoke, filter bags depending from said rim andconnected by pipes to said hollow spokes, hoppers be neath the uppermost filter bags provided with discharging chute portions extending out of said tank; pipes in the ends of the shaft, which lead respectively to a vacupm tank and a source of fluid under pressure, and means for automatically opening and closing the valves at any predetermined point in the rotative movement of the wheel.

9. In a revoluble filter, the combination with a solution tank, of a wheel mounted therein provided with hollow spokes and a broad rim, said wheel having a shaft provided with axial passages separated by a central partition, means including valve-controlled pipes for connecting said hollow spokes to said shafts axial passages pipes in the, ends of said shaft leading respectively to a vacuum tank and to a source of fluid under pressure; a circumferential row of groups of filtering bags secured .to said Wheel, means including piping for connecting said groups of filtering bags to said hollow spokes, a hopper under the uppermost groups of filter-bags arrangedto discharge without the tank, said hollow spoke and shaft passages being connected by valve controlled piping, said valves being rovided'with projecting stcms terminating 1n bell crankarms, and pins arranged in the path of said bell crank arms, by which said valves are opened and closed at predetermined points in the rotary movement of the filter.

Ill). In a revoluble filter, the combination with a solution tank, of a wheel mounted 5 therein, having hollow spokes, and a widel peripheral rim extendin laterally on opposite sides of said wheel, a sha t having an axial passage extending in from each end to independent hub chambers divided by a partition, one of said passages being connected with a, vacuum tank, while the other iscOnne cted with a spurceof fluid under pressure, valves and pipes connecting said hollow spokes and hub chambers, cylindrical plugs in said valves which control communication between the spokes and shaft, having projectmg stems terminating in bell crank arms, pins arranged. in the path of said arms for operating the valves, and filtering bags secured to the inner surface of said rim and arranged to project radially from said rim towards the axial center of said wheels shaft, and piping arranged to connect said filtering bags with said hollow spokes. 1

' 11. In a revoluble filter, the combination with a solution tank of a wheel mounted to stand partially within said tank, having a air of axial chambers in its hub separated y a partition, and assag'es extending from said-chambers to t e ends of a supporting shaft, one of which connects with a vacuum tank and the other with a source of fluid under pressure, said chambers being provided with radial holes extending through the hub; hollow spokes having valves connected with opposite sides of their lower ends; pipes extending from the radial holes of the hub chambers and connected with the valves;

plugs in said valves for controlling communication between the hollow spokes and chambers, having projecting stems terminating in hell crank arms, pins adjustably secured in brackets for operating the valves at predetermined points in the wheels movement;

filtering bags arranged transversely across the rim of the wheel in groups, the filtering bags of each group of filters being connected together and a pipe communicating with the connection of filtering bags and said. hollow spokes, and a hopper on each side of the wheel extended adjacent to the under side of the uppermost group of filtering bags and arranged to discharge without the tank.

' 12. Ina revolving filter, the combination with a solution tank, of a wheel having hollow spokes communicating with independent axial passages in a supporting shaft, one of which is arranged to connect with a vacuum tank and the other with a source of fluid under pressure a plurality of filtering bags connected together by pipe connections into groups of filtering bags secured to the op-posite sides of the inner peripheral side of the rim of said wheel, a line pipe arranged to consee-me 13. in a revoluhle lilter, the combination I said iiiteriiig with a Wheel, comprising a shalt having in dependent axial passages terminating in chambers which are separated by St partition, said passages connecting respectively with Vacuum tank, and a, source of fluid under pressure, said Wheel having provided with it rim; folly blocks secured to spokes, a circumferential row' of lat independent rim sections secured to said rim blocks, and extending laterally across said rim blocks and beyond them far enough. to sup-- port on opposite sides of said wheel a circumferential row of filtering hogs, said filtering bags being arranged in groups on each rim section, means including piping for connecting each group of filtering bags to said-hollow spokes, means for automatically opening and closing communication between the said chambers and hollow spokes, at predetermined times, comprising valves urrunmsd on opposite sides of the spokes, having extended stems which terminate in hell crank arms, and pins djustahly secured in the path of the hell crank arms.

14. In a. revoluble filter, the combination.

with a wheel comprising at shaft, 1 wing i ndependent exinl passages torminuting in chainhers which are separated by a. partition, said passagesconnecting respectively with n vixen-- um tank, and :1, source oi fluid under pres sure, hollow spokes communicating "Wltll said ch embers, and a narrow rim, or" fell lilocks secured to said rim, of 2t Wide rim on said telly blocks, extending on opposite sid said wheel, a circular row of filtering lit cured at one end to said wide rim on oppo sides of the wheels circumi intizil (:cu

, spokes for opening or oh bags being :u'rzmgcd in two groups arranged opposi c each other on up positc sides oi said spokes, means including piping for connectin the iiltcr hogs of each group together, "ilHlLZlH iucludii j piping for groin) oi filler lungs to said hollow spokes, menus including piping" and nutouieticnll (i})(:l'2i.tll 5 valves arranged ow tween suid shef s pose; s and soid hollow mg; communii'ntiou and. shelf pussnucs it nts in the rotul'ivc re olulmtween the spok prodetermined poi tion. of the wheel.

15. A reroluhle filter, comprising :i solution tank, 0,v Wheel mounted in said tank so as to he purtizilly suhn'ierged, and having hollow spokes; :itwmp shaft, the inner ends oi which tcri'ninutc in liuiigcd huh portions which ure secured. on opposite sides of the Wheel, seid huhs having cluiuihcrs which are closed at one end und communion! ewith zuzizil puss-ages in their respective shult sections; :1 plurzili oi supper :uruiigred around suid Wheel; gioups oi filters 2'1 ttuchcd to said supports, each group being: in communication with one of suid holler: spokes; a pipe in the end of one or" said shuit seciioi'is. lending to u vacuum tank, a pipe in the end of the other shaii sectim; leading to :1 source of lluid under pre ire, end uutomutic ull operated \ulvce for coutrolliiur the comznuuicuti:m heiu'ccn suid spokes tllHi r-il all sections.

in testimony 'e 1c of i eiii). my f ljjlltxillil" in posencc oi two witnesses,

ilrli iilt ll. i' fillitllliliil mum l lmio'i 'r, minim .l ou'iis, 

